Stem Cell Facials

“Stem cell facial”? That sounds rather like that South Park episode. (Yes, that one, with that infamous source of stem cells, but let’s not discuss it here). Would you rub stem cells into your face to reduce wrinkles?
Skin care companies selling anti-ageing creams are always making scientific-sounding claims in their widespread tv adverts and yet often appear to have thrown pseudoscience at the passing bandwagon (look out for those nano creams). The Nature Publishing Group report that a current target is stem cells, and in many cases, embryonic stem cells. After the relatively minor mishaps of the fashion companies when fur became murder, I’m rather surprised that some skin care companies are taking this route into controversy.
Mind you, I’ve never seen a perfume advert that I’ve understood either.
Articles:
The Niche, blog entry (a nature.com blog).
Nature Reports Stem Cells: A superficial success